Health Unit Encourages Eligible Families to Access Free or Low-Cost Dental Care

As eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) expands, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) encourage families to explore the federal program for needed dental coverage, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

PPH says familes should understand the changes to CDCP and the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program.

According to a press release, the CDCP is a federal government initiative aimed at making dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. Applications are currently open for seniors aged 65 and older, children under 18, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate. As of last month, the program has expanded to include all eligible adults aged 18 to 64. 

“Good oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, and programs like HSO and the CDCP play a critical role in making dental care accessible to qualifying children and youth,” said Anna Rusak, Health Promoter, with the HKPR District Health Unit. “And with an increasing number of dental providers asking patients to enroll in CDCP, we want to make sure families are aware and prepared. We are here to help them through the application process.” 

The CDCP is now open to all ages and families with an adjusted family net income of $90,000 or less who have no private dental insurance and have filed their taxes. These families are invited to submit one application for their household. This program helps cover the cost of dental care, including regular check-ups, cleanings and treatments. 

Families who qualify for CDCP will receive a package from Sun Life, the company managing the program. This package will include a member card, program details, and the start date for benefits to be activated. PPH advises waiting until this start date to book any dental appointments.

PPH says when making an appointment and before starting any treatment always:

• Confirm that the dentist accepts CDCP clients

• Check your benefit start date and any costs you may need to pay

• Ask if there are any extra fees beyond what CDCP covers and if so, request an estimate or the specific amount that will be owed

PPH advises that families should never pay the full cost upfront, as Sun Life will not reimburse them directly. 

Families can apply for the CDCP online or get help from the Health Unit.

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Two People Charged With Fraud and Theft After Allowing Items to be Taken Without Full Payment

Two Peterborough residents are facing charges after a local business reported multiple incidents involving a former employee.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Through investigation, officers with the Community F.I.R.S.T. Unit learned of 12 incidents between April and June 2025 involving the person, who was an employee at the time and a relative. In the incidents, the employee would not charge the full amount for items or would allow the items to leave without payment. The business lost almost $1,350. 

Officers arrested and charged the following:

A 74-year-old Peterborough man with:

• Fraud Under $5,000 x8

• Theft Under $5,000 x3

A 68-year-old Peterborough woman with:

• Fraud Under $5,000 x5

• Theft Under $5,000 x3

Both accused were released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2.

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Peterborough NHL Draftee Commits to Michigan State

Less than a month after being drafted to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL 2025 Entry Level Draft, Peterborough’s Porter Martone is leaving the Ontario Hockey League and committing to Michigan State University, announced on Monday.

Notable Michigan State Alumni to play in the NHL include Ryan Miller, Rod Brind'Amour, Torey Krug and Mason Appleton. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

Martone was drafted by the Flyers sixth overall last month.

In November, the NCAA Division I Council voted to amend its rules, permitting players who have skated in the CHL to participate in college hockey. Martone will join the Michigan State Spartans, who had a 26-7-4 record this past season. The team plays out of Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mi.

He spent most of his OHL career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.

He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.

The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.

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Selwyn Township Places Immediate Ban on Burning Brush

Effective immediately, the Selwyn Township Fire Department is enforcing a strict prohibition on burning brush, announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to Selwyn Townshop, the decision comes amidst sustained drought conditions and above-average temperatures.

“Conditions are very dry and we want to protect our residents, their properties and our volunteer firefighters,” made in a press release statement.

What the ban covers:

• Brush burning, including piles of branches, logs, yard debris, and similar vegetation, is strictly prohibited until further notice.

• Existing burn permits are immediately revoked.

• The ban does not extend to certified gas or propane fire pits, barbecues, or small recreational campfires located more than 20 ft. from structures—but even these should be used with extreme caution and direct adult supervision.

This ban remains in effect until conditions improve. Fire officials will reassess the situation daily and announce any changes.

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Willow Yoga Studio Launches Adaptive Yoga Program for Children with Special Needs

Willow Yoga Studio has launched a first-of-its-kind adaptive yoga pilot program designed specifically for children with special needs.

Demeester in front of her business at 1600 Lansdowne St. W. The Willow Studio was a 2025 recipient of the Starter Company Plus Program through Community Futures Peterborough. Photo courtesy of Willow Yoga Studio.

The program is in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC).

Angela Demeester, Willow Yoga Studio owner, is a mother to a child with a disability. According to a press release, she recognized a significant gap in programming available to children with diverse needs. Demeester approached FCCC with the program.

“We're excited to announce our partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre to offer Adaptive Yoga classes for children with special needs this summer at Willow,” said Demeeester. “This offering reflects the very heart of our studio—yoga that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in connection.”

The adaptive yoga program offers studio space for children to connect socially, build friendships, improve physical fitness, and experience calmness. The first session occurred last Wednesday witha second one on Aug. 6. It is open to FCCC clients receiving therapeutic recreation services.

“We are so thrilled to work with Angela on this adaptive yoga program that benefits children of all abilities,” said Caitlin Gilmer, FCCC recreation therapist. “Our role as therapists is to help children experience and enjoy recreational activities, and this adaptive yoga program is one way to break down those barriers.”

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a community, to move their bodies, and to feel included,” said Demeeester. “As both a yoga teacher and a parent of a child with a disability, I understand how meaningful it is to have programs that see and support the whole child.”

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Riverview Park & Zoo Train Closing Early Due to Pumphouse Rehabilitation Work

The Riverview Park and Zoo’s miniature train is operating until Aug. 4, as it will close for the season to accommodate rehabilitation work on the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam. 

File Photo.

The Dam will undergo construction work to address concrete deterioration and improve its infrastructure to further its long-term functionality. Construction work is expected to begin this summer.

The Miniature Train Ride crosses the dam as part of its route around the Zoo area. The train cannot safely cross the dam while it is under construction.  

The train operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Miniature Train Ride will reopen to visitors during the long weekend in May 2026.  

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Peterborough Man Arrested For Exposing Himself at Jackson Park

A 41-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after several calls to police about a man exposing himself in Jackson Park.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 7 p.m., officers arrived at the park and began searching the area. They located the man lying near the creek with his clothes beside him. The clothes matched the description given to the police.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Indecent Act- public place

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

• Fail to Comply with Prohibition Regarding Children

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, to stay away from Jackson Park in Peterborough.

The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition: to not be at a public park or other areas where people under 16 can be reasonably expected to be.

The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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Photos: Gob Takes Centre Stage With Their Punk Rock Antics at Peterborough Musicfest

The Vancouver punk rock stylings of Gob hit the Musicfest stage to rock out with the Peterborough crowd at Del Crary Park on Saturday night.

Tom Thacker (left) and Theo Goutzinakis (right) of Gob, rock out at Musicfest before a huge crowd at Del Crary Park. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The band consists of Tom Thacker (vocals and lead guitar), Theo Goutzinakis (rhythm guitar and vocals), Gabe Mantle (drummer) and Steven Fairweather (bassist).

@ptbo_canada Tom Thacker) (left) and Theo Goutzinakis (right) of Gob rock out at Peterborough Musicfest before a huge crowd at Del Crary Park. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #ptbomusicfest ♬ Punk rock for sports, battles, OPs(1407616) - Cheng Lee

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Hilliard Street Undergoing Road Reconstruction Until Mid-August

Hilliard Street will be closed to through traffic between Anson and George streets until Aug 15 for road reconstruction work.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Work in the area of Hilliard and George streets includes the installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of George and Hilliard streets, partially reconstructing and realigning the intersection, the addition of sidewalk and trail links at the intersection and new lighting along the Rotary Greenway Trail Link from Hilliard Street to Bethune Street. 

Access to properties in that section of Hilliard Street will be maintained through formal detours when required during the construction. 

The City asks that motorists follow posted detour routes.

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Undermanned Peterborough Lakers Give Valiant Effort In Overtime Loss to Owen Sound

Despite being down several starters, the Peterborough Lakers just fell short of a comeback bid, falling 10-9 in overtime to the Owen Sound North Stars at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers were down several starters since they were attending defenceman Jordan Stouros’ wedding.

The opening frame looked like Peterborough had not skipped a beat, scoring the first two goals thanks to Braedon Saris and Justin Sykes. They allowed a three-goal run to find themselves down 3-2 but rang off another pair of scores with Saris’s second and Nick Fournier’s first for a 4- 3 lead after one period.

The middle stanza was all Owen Sound. They had five of the six goals with Micheal Blaymires getting the lone score for the Lakers for a 7-5 game in favour of the home team.

Both teams alternated scores for the opening five goals. Lucas Fraser, Alex Pace and Jeremiah Wade all scored their first goal of the season for Peterborough. Adam Thistlethwaite had some last-minute heroics for the Lakers, scoring with just four seconds left to tie the game at nine to force overtime.

“We had a play set up for Justin Sykes to come down the side on a double steal,” explained Thistlethwaite. “We’d run it once or twice before in the game so they kinda knew what was coming. So when I came up from the bottom to seal up on Sykes’ guy, I just flashed into the middle into Saris and he threw it to me. Page was double sealing through on the backside just kind of bear-hugging guys, creating chaos and I shot overtop and hit it top left.”

The extra frame did not take long as Owen Sound scored just 29 seconds in to get the 10-9 victory.

“There were a lot of roles that were getting filled tonight,” said Thistlethwaite. “A lot of different guys in the lineup so a lot of guys were stepping up in different places all over the floor. We had a lot of good young players who were running the floor and playing well.”

“Not happy at all with the result, but happy with the effort,” said Bobby Keast, Lakers assistant coach. “The group that we called up to support did an outstanding job.”

The Lakers finish their last home game this Thursday against the Brampton Excelsiors for Little Lakers Night support of Five Counties Children’s Centre and Fan Appreciation Night.

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